Improved Security Measures at the National Gallery will take effect immediately following Just Stop Oil and pro-Palestinian protests. The Gallery will tighten security arrangements to protect its visitors, staff, and the Nation’s art collection.
From 10 a.m. on Friday, 18 October 2024, visitors will no longer be allowed to bring liquids into the Gallery except for baby formula, expressed milk, and prescription medicines.
The National Gallery has always taken great pride in offering a space where everyone has free access to some of the greatest works of art in the world. The collection cared for is irreplaceable and fragile. Recent attacks on masterpieces have forced the Gallery to reconsider how to balance accessibility with the responsibility of preserving these treasures for future generations. Unfortunately, the time has come for further measures to be taken.
Since July 2022, five separate attacks have targeted iconic works: Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers, John Constable’s The Hay Wain, Velázquez’s Rokeby Ve Us, and Picasso’s Motherhood – La Maternité. These incidents damaged the frames, raised the alarm, and disrupted the gallery’s mission of making great art accessible to everyone.
Two of those attacks have occurred in the last two weeks, which is why this decision has had to be made. We ask that visitors come lightly and not bring bulky bags. We will install walk-through metal detectors at each gallery entrance and institute bag checks.
“We are sorry this will delay and inconvenience you. View rs. Please understand that it is part of the necessary precautionary measures to ensure the safety of all viewers and preserve these priceless works of art.”
Please refer to our website to fully inform yourself about our revised Visitor Admissions policy. We greatly appreciate your understanding and patience with these changes.
The National Gallery is one of the world’s great galleries. The National Gallery was founded by Parliament in 1824 to care for, preserve, and study the Nation’s collection of Western European paintings from about 1250 to 1 00. Its collection includes Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, Monet’s The Water-Lily Pond, Leonardo da Vinci’s The Virgin of the Rocks, Rembrandt’s Self Portrait at the Age of 34 and Velázquez’s Christ in the House of Martha and M ry. The Gallery aims to promote the knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of the Fine Arts through the medium of the National Collection. Admission is free.